What's in the works in Lake County: Four suburbs' mayors tout pandemic rebound and big projects
From new homes to commercial development and a variety of other projects, the four communities that constitute the Green Oaks, Libertyville, Mundelein, Vernon Hills Chamber of Commerce are rebounding from the coronavirus pandemic.
Here are some highlights of what's coming, as shared by the towns' leaders during the annual "Ask the Mayors" luncheon last week at Cafe Pomigliano in Green Oaks.
Green Oaks
The village is the smallest among GLMV members but continues to make progress on big plans, including a special financing district that has resulted in tens of millions in investment to the Rondout area along Route 176.
Construction of a Memorial Garden at the northeast corner of O'Plaine Road and Route 137 to accommodate the future Patriot Path bike trail is among $1.7 million in planned projects this year.
Mayor Bernard Wysocki reported the Rondout tax increment financing district - where property taxes above a certain point are funneled back into redevelopment - generated $2.3 million in 2022. Funds are used as development incentives as well as other work, such as a Route 176 streetscape program.
Wysocky also reported the village will be spending $700,000 for street repairs this season. The village's first property tax to fund the repairs narrowly was approved by voters in 2018.
And, a soft opening is scheduled Friday for Gas N Wash, the village's first gas station/convenience store, in the Green Oaks Business Park, at the northeast corner of Route 176 and Interstate 94.
Mundelein
With 1,200 housing units planned or in progress, not including the Wirtz mega-project, Mundelein has experienced "the most consequential 12 months in the future of our village" in decades, said Mayor Steve Lentz.
The family known for owning the Chicago Blackhawks is planning Ivanhoe Village on 700 acres bounded by Route 60, Route 83 and Peterson Road.
Plans call for 3,200 housing units of various types and commercial and industrial centers to be built over 25 years. Establishing a development agreement to outline specifics is next.
Lentz said an effort to "de-industrialize" the downtown area with residential uses is bearing fruit. Station 250 just broke ground and a $68 million project is under consideration.
Other residential projects include Courtland Commons, Cardinal Square, Morris Station, Townes at Oak Creek and Sheldon Woods.
"Probably the most business-friendly thing you can do is bring in more rooftops," Lentz said.
Vernon Hills
With $19.7 million in sales tax revenue, the village that perennially is at or near the top of sales tax generators among Lake County communities has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
"We're at about the highest we've ever been," said village Trustee Thom Koch Jr., who has been on the board since 1993.
Inquiries regarding new retail space at Hawthorn Mall, office redevelopment and restaurant/entertainment uses in main commercial areas have increased, Koch said.
Building permits have been consistent with pre-pandemic levels after a 2021 spike due to home improvement projects, he said. And although the value of those permits dropped last year, the value of those under review are nearly three times higher, Koch reported.
The first phase of a $252 million Hawthorn 2.0 mall redevelopment is nearly complete, he said. The first tenants at Domaine luxury apartment complex are expected in mid-June, with ground-floor retail to follow this fall.
Libertyville
Among the milestones was the sale earlier this year of the immense indoor portion of Libertyville Sports Complex, for net proceeds of more than $3.13 million, to Canlan Sports.
The sale allows the village to reduce debt on the complex at Route 45 and Peterson Road. Another portion of the complex was sold earlier for the development of two 170,000-square-foot flex industrial buildings.
Other pending projects are a 32-unit senior housing development by Community Partners for Affordable Housing and the Lake County emergency services center on the Libertyville campus, Johnson said.
Liberty Junction, 80 townhouses at Peterson Road and Milwaukee Avenue, which calls for an expanded Wildberry parking lot and a future retail space, is under construction. So are an VetMedic urgent care facility and Tala Coffee Roasters office and roastery.
Mayor Donna Johnson said the village reviewed and updated its economic development strategy and fielded about 250 contacts for the year ending May 1.